Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 540
Nixon White House Tape 540 (July 20, 1971)
14 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 20 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, United States Secret Service agents, Kissinger, Bull, Butterfield
President Nixon, Secretary of State William P. Rogers, and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger coordinated strategy regarding ongoing efforts to achieve an honorable end to the Vietnam War. The discussion centered on aligning U.S. negotiating objectives—specifically a ceasefire, POW release, and regional peace—with potential legislative maneuvers in Congress. The participants evaluated how to manage Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield’s involvement to prevent unfavorable legislative interference with the administration's diplomatic goals.
United States Secret Service agents met with the President in the Oval Office to discuss security-related matters. The conversation was heavily redacted due to federal statutes regarding sensitive security information and personal privacy. Consequently, no substantive record of the specific directives or developments remains available for historical review.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met in the Oval Office to conduct a brief, private consultation. While the specific substance of the dialogue is not captured in the available transcript, the meeting served as a direct exchange between the President and his National Security Advisor during a period of high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering. No specific policy decisions or action items are discernable from this brief encounter.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate messaging strategy regarding the secret opening of relations with the People's Republic of China. They discussed managing congressional and conservative skepticism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining secrecy while presenting an upbeat, controlled public narrative. The conversation also touched upon potential Vietnam peace negotiations and the strategic implications of a prospective summit with the Soviet Union in light of the PRC initiative.
Secret Service agents met with White House staff in the Oval Office to discuss operational instructions related to Stephen B. Bull’s office. This brief interaction involved the coordination of administrative or security protocols under the purview of the President’s personal aide. No significant policy decisions were recorded during the short exchange.
President Nixon met with staff members Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistical arrangements for upcoming meetings. The discussion centered on scheduling appointments with Senator Robert J. Dole and Senator James O. Eastland, as well as managing a briefing with Henry A. Kissinger. The participants specifically addressed requests regarding photography and the allocation of time for these high-level political engagements.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Robert Dole, and William Timmons to coordinate Republican strategy regarding the 1972 National Convention site selection, specifically leaning toward San Diego. The group discussed the political necessity of framing the President’s recent initiative toward the People's Republic of China as a masterstroke of leadership to build momentum for the 1972 election. Furthermore, Nixon directed his staff to organize economic briefings for Republican members of Congress to bolster party morale and counter Democratic attacks concerning the economy and the Vietnam War.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was arranging meetings with John D. Ehrlichman and George P. Shultz. Bull facilitated the planning to ensure these key advisors would be brought to the Oval Office to meet with the President.
President Nixon met with John D. Ehrlichman and George P. Shultz to discuss a wide-ranging agenda of domestic and political issues, including the administration's strategy for school desegregation, welfare reform, and the handling of the Pentagon Papers. The President expressed deep frustration with the lack of vocal support from Republican Congressional leaders regarding his recent initiative to open relations with the People's Republic of China, and directed his staff to organize briefings to mobilize legislators around economic and peace issues. Additionally, the President and Ehrlichman reviewed the potentially problematic behavior of the President's brother, Donald Nixon, requesting CIA surveillance to manage the political risks associated with his foreign travel and business dealings.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the logistics and staffing for an upcoming White House visit by a group of African athletes. The discussion included the participation of key aides, such as Henry Cashen, Charles Colson, and H.R. Haldeman, as well as the involvement of the official photographer, Ollie Atkins. Additionally, the President briefly touched upon fundraising efforts and the potential scheduling of a follow-up call with a political supporter.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the professional conduct and social habits of a third party, likely a high-ranking official or diplomat, during a recent trip. The conversation focuses on the subject's tendency to inappropriately fraternize with subordinates and service staff, which Nixon contrasts with his own philosophy on maintaining clear boundaries of rank. The participants reflect on how this behavior undermines the formal distance necessary for leadership.
Secret Service agents met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics and provide a brief status update on the President's schedule and location. The discussion remained brief and primarily functional, concerning the movement of the President and personnel positioning. The recording concludes abruptly while agents are organizing their next steps regarding security protocols.
This recording captures a brief, routine administrative exchange between two unidentified individuals regarding the testing of security alarms. The participants discuss door sensors and protocol for entering and exiting the Oval Office. No substantive policy matters or political developments are addressed during the brief interaction.
Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office to coordinate security logistics and site inspections. The discussion involved brief administrative updates regarding building access, specifically concerning the Executive Office Building and a potential situation located in the basement. These exchanges served to facilitate routine protective operations and internal security checks.